Getting partial knee replacement surgery isn’t something that anyone wants to experience. It’s painful; it’s disruptive and just generally unpleasant. But, one of the biggest concerns that people have going into it is whether they’ll be able to maintain the same level of mobility they had before the surgery. There’s no cookie-cutter answer to this question because it depends on the individual situation.
For instance, if you’re a highly active person that partakes in marathons and other high impact activities, you might experience a decline in your mobility levels. It’s a fact that your body won’t be able to function the same again but you can take measures to adapt after the surgery.
manual therapy for partial knee replacement
Can you continue high impact activities after knee replacement surgery?
Generally, high impact activities like running are discouraged after a surgery of this magnitude. That’s because your body needs time to heal and it might take weeks, months or years before you feel like your old self again. Your ability to perform impact activities after surgery will also depend on a number of factors like your age, your level of motivation and your health status before you went into surgery.
Plus, each surgeon has a unique rehabilitation protocol and it’s wise to follow that in order to speed up recovery. While most surgeons advise against partaking in certain activities during the rehabilitation period, you’ll be able to enjoy other activities like swimming, golfing and rowing for example.
Manual Therapy for Partial Knee Replacement Surgery
Your surgeon might also recommend manual therapy as part of your outpatient recovery program. Cooperating with your therapist and getting regular treatment sessions will help to prevent another knee replacement surgery in the long run.
It’s also beneficial to participate in manual therapy in preparation for the surgery. Depending on the situation, pre-surgery manual therapy can significantly improve your results and speed up the healing process after the surgery. It will also strengthen your knee and help you achieve a better range of motion.
What is Partial Knee Replacement Surgery?
As the name implies, partial knee replacement surgery is meant to replace a particular part of your knee. This could be the kneecap, the lateral or outside part of the knee or the medial aka inside part of the knee. The point is to get rid of damaged bone and tissue in the knee joint. The removed part is replaced with a prosthetic that helps your knee to function normally even with the missing part.
The good news is partial knee surgery typically has a quick recovery time when compared to total knee replacement surgery. But, you’ll need manual therapy for at least 4 to 6 weeks afterward to safely transition your joints and soft tissues to their former state.
Within two or three months you’ll be able to perform high impact activities like running and plyometrics. And, your knee should hold up for another 10 years without incident but eventually, you may need a full knee replacement, especially if you constantly put pressure on the knee due to frequent, impact activity.
We’re always so excited to share fascinating facts and titbits about the spine with you, and we’ve reached the end of our “Learn about Your Spine” series. We hope you’ve enjoyed it. Today’s article is all about the 7th cervical vertebra which is one of the most important parts of the spine. Read on for more.
What is the C7 Cervical Vertebra?
Imagine you’re picking up the phone to take an important call when all of a sudden your arm starts to feel like jelly. This may be caused by your 7th cervical vertebra.
The 7th Cervical vertebra controls the triceps. The triceps is a large muscle situated at the back of your arm and it’s what most people go to strengthen at the gym on “arm day”. But, this muscle is good for more than just making your arms look good in a tank top.
triceps
C7 is easily identifiable because it protrudes through the skin. You’ll notice it if you feel around at the base of your neck. Due to its noticeable protrusion, this vertebra is often called vertebra prominens. C7 starts where the neck meets the upper back, at the beginning of your spine’s curvature. It connects two very different parts of your spine, as the upper back is quite rigid, while the neck is highly flexible.
What Happens when the C7 cervical vertebra gets damaged?
The C7 spinal segment is the exit point of the C8 nerve root, so when the C8 nerve root gets compressed, a condition known as C8 radiculopathy will happen.
What are the symptoms of C8 radiculopathy?
– Numbness, weakness or pain on the lower shoulder – Tingling sensation at the back of the arm and/or forearm – Tingling sensation or pain on the pinky finger
shoulder pain These symptoms can manifest on both sides of your arm or on one side depending on the cause and severity of the problem.
It’s also possible to experience C7 spinal cord injury as a result of the following: – Motor vehicle accident – Falls – Trauma – Tumors – Disease – Birth defects
Some of the most common symptoms of a C7 spinal cord injury include: – Losing control of bladder and bowel movement – Difficulty breathing – Difficulty extending the fingers, arms, and shoulders – Reduced dexterity in the hands and fingers – A burning and painful sensation at the back of the arms (triceps) and/ or in the shoulder blade
Causes of C7 damage
In addition to the above-mentioned symptoms and causes, C7 damage can manifest in the form of:
– A Degenerative C7-T1 Segment: The pain you feel on your shoulders could be a result of a degenerative C7 and T1 vertebrae. This happens as a result of inflammation or irritation from the degenerating disk.
– Osteoarthritis: It’s very rare for osteoarthritis to manifest in the C7 cervical vertebra. But, the natural disintegration of facet joints can lead to C7 osteoarthritis, also known as neck arthritis. A severe injury could make matters worse, so be sure to get this area checked out if you’re constantly feeling pain or stiffness in it. Philani Natural Health offers a free assessment to anyone who books through our website appointment page. So, head on over there and get yourself checked out!
– Spinal stenosis: What is spinal stenosis, you ask? To put it simply, this condition manifests as a narrowing of the spinal canal, which is basically your backbone which runs from the base of your neck to the lower back.
The spinal canal is supposed to protect your spinal cord from impact and injury. But, when it narrows down it actually pinches the spinal cord and this is never a good thing.
At this point, the condition becomes myelopathy and it could lead to permanent spinal cord injury. When this happens, you could lose all sensation below the neck or experience leg or core muscle paralysis.
– Fracture: A bone fracture at this level can cause pain and discomfort.
– Infection: Although uncommon, it’s possible to get an infection in the C7 spinal segment. This usually happens in the case of a secondary lung infection.
– Tumour: This is another rarity, but we thought we’d cover it because spinal tumors are not to be taken lightly. Aside from the noticeable bulging, they often manifest as a painful sensation at the base of your neck that won’t go away.
– Herniation: Another common cause of C7 damage is disc herniation. Although rare, disc herniation can happen on the C7 cervical vertebra as a result of a muscle tear in this area. This causes a jelly-like substance to “leak” out from the disc.
This is not a pretty picture folks, and you want to avoid this at all costs by following some of the maintenance and treatment tips we’ll be sharing with you below.
C7 Treatment
The good news is you don’t have to undergo invasive surgery to treat most of the conditions related to the C7 cervical vertebra. The general recommendation is to stick with nonsurgical treatment consistently for 3 to 6 months before you seek more severe methods.
This is enough time to figure out if methods like manual therapy will work for you. If you still don’t feel relief after 6 months, then you’ll have to book yourself in for a proper surgical procedure to get rid of the problem.
Keep in mind that surgery at the C7/ T1 level is more difficult because it’s situated deeper in the body and it’s protected by a lot of bone tissue. Not only that, but it’s close to neurovascular bundles, which is a critical and sensitive part of the spine.
Above all, physical therapy comes highly recommended for the treatment of spinal cord injury. The goal of such treatment is to help the patient restore lost function in the affected area and live life as normal again.
Make sure to also keep a positive attitude as you go through treatment. So long as treatment starts early, it’s possible to regain function in the affected area and get your life back!
Good news! You can get a FREE assessment from Philani Manual Health when you book online. Click on our appointment page and get started today.
When most of us think about health, the spine is usually the last thing that comes to mind-if at all! That’s because there isn’t much information out there about the spine and the important role it plays in overall health.
That’s why we’re dedicating an entire series of articles about the spine. As you’ll soon learn, it’s one of the most marvelous features of the human body. Through this series, we will share with you not just facts but real healing wisdom. The spine is the nexus of our work here at Philani and we consider it to be essential to our healing process.
About the Spine
First, the spine comprises a series of interconnected bones called vertebrae that travel from the base of the skull to the tailbone. Each vertebra is connected to another by a facet joint. The facet joints give your spine the flexibility to bend and move your neck and back.
Now, this is where things get interesting. Within the vertebral column is the spinal cord, which connects the brain with the rest of the body. The vertebral column is also responsible for:
Supporting the head
Providing vertical support for the body
Articulating the ribs
Supporting body weight while walking and standing
Different Parts of the Spine
The vertebral column comprises four major curvatures, and each curvature has several bones within it as follows:
In the following weeks, we will unpack each of the vertebrae that run along the spine, starting with the Atlas and the Axis, labeled C1 and C2 respectively on the above chart.
And Then There Was Movement!
Although small, the C1 and C2 vertebrae allow for the greatest range of motion of all the vertebrae. Perhaps that’s why the C1 vertebra is called the “Atlas” after the man from Greek mythology who held up the earth.
It attaches directly to your skull and allows you to nod your head forward while C2 enables you to move your head from side to side. Without these two vertebrae, you wouldn’t be able to turn around when someone calls your name, or bop your head to your favorite tune.
That’s why it’s so easy to notice when there’s a misalignment with either one of these vertebrae.
Symptoms of C1 + C2 Misalignment
Some of the most common conditions that we see at Philani in relation to C1 + C2 misalignment include:
Migraine headaches
Breathing problems
Elevated blood pressure
Indigestion
Constipation
Tinnitus (a ringing in the ears)
Facial pain
Neck pain and
Shoulder pain
Should you experience any of these symptoms, please consider booking an assessment with us at Philani. This is where our qualified Manual Therapist, Zanele Bosch, will conduct a thorough assessment of your problem to find out which part of your spine is causing your ailment.
Good news! We’re offering free assessments to anyone that books an appointment through our website. Head over to our appointment page to book your free assessment and start your journey to better health today.
